Originally Posted by Eurostar:
“But check out the official match stats, they're a real eye opener : Brazil 8 shots on target to Germany's 10, Brazil 7 corners to Germany's 5 and Brazil 52% possession to Germany's 48%.
That tells us that Germany were in absolutely sensational form and delivered the most devastating performance.....Brazil may well have gotten a result against anyone else in the tournament or lost only narrowly at worst.”
No it doesn't - rather it demonstrates that football statistics have to be carefully taken in context. Here's an example of misleading statistics.
Side A produces 20 pathetic shots from the half-way line that dribble towards the goal at one mile an hour. They have totally ineffectual possession back and forth across their back four for 60% of the game before regularly losing the ball whenever they venture into attacking areas (are you England in disguise).
Side B sits back, keeps a perfect defensive shape, waits for side A to give up possession - or else their sitting midfielders win the ball whenever side A moves within touching distance of thier 18-yard line. They then control midfield with rat-a-tat one-touch possession and scythe through side A's defense with alarming regularity. They have 10 shots on goal including some howitzers from 20 yards out that rattle the woodwork.
Side B wins 5-0 but side A have far better statistics.
Statistics can be very useful but you have to analyse them carefully. I saw some people earlier in the thread make a similar point to yours about Brazil's shots on target. However if you look at the game again, a number of those were largely hopeful shots that would never have beaten a keeper like Neuer in a million years.